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Yu-Bin Liu,1 Lin Zhang,1 Xing-Chen Zhou,1 Ying Zhou,1 Yun Liu,1 Can Zheng,1 Xiao Xu,1 Pan-Pan Geng,1 Chun-Hua Hao,2 Zhuan-You Zhao,2 Chu-Tse Wu,1 Ji-De Jin1 1Department of Experimental Hematology and Biochemistry, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, 100850, People’s Republic of China; 2Center for Pharmacodynamic Research, Tianjin Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Tianjin, 300462, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Chu-Tse Wu; Ji-De Jin, Department of Experimental Hematology and Biochemistry, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, No. 27 Taiping Road, Beijing, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 1086-68158312 ; +86 1086-66931425, Email wuct@bmi.ac.cn; jinjide505@163.comIntroduction: Recombinant neorudin (EPR-hirudin, EH) was developed through the addition of an EPR (Glu-Pro-Arg) peptide to the amino terminus of hirudin, which can be recognized and cut by coagulation factors XIa (FXIa) and/or Xa (FXa). In this study, the low-bleeding antithrombotic effects of EH were evaluated utilizing experimental models of thrombosis in rabbits and rats to provide a test basis for clinical trials.Methods: The bleeding risks of EH and hirudin were first compared in mice by the tail-clipping method, and then the antithrombotic activity of EH was investigated in a rabbit model of arteriovenous bypass thrombosis and a rat model of thrombotic cerebral infarction.Results: In mice, intravenous administration of EH at 1.5 mg/kg and 3 mg/kg did not affect the bleeding time compared with normal saline, while the administration of hirudin at 1.5 mg/kg prolonged the bleeding time by over 3 times the administration of normal saline. Furthermore, intravenous administration of EH had a significant dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the formation and development of arteriovenous bypass thrombosis and thrombotic cerebral infarction. Compared with an equimolar dose of hirudin, the antithrombotic effect of EH was similar, while the bleeding side effects were significantly attenuated. Moreover, when the antithrombotic effects were similar, EH had a shorter bleeding time and was associated with less bleeding than low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). EH had a therapeutic effect on thrombotic cerebral infarction without increasing the occurrence of cerebral hemorrhage.Conclusion: The findings from the preclinical animal models used in this study showed that EH could not only effectively inhibit thrombus formation but also reduce the risk of bleeding.Keywords: recombinant neorudin, hirudin, antithrombotic effect, bleeding

We have investigated scaling properties near the quantum critical point between the extended phase and the critical phase in the Aubry-Andr\'{e}-Harper model with p-wave pairing, which have rarely been exploited as most investigations focus on the localization transition from the critical phase to the localized phase. We find that the spectrum averaged entanglement entropy and the generalized fidelity susceptibility act as eminent universal order parameters of the corresponding critical point without gap closing. We introduce a Widom scaling ansatz for these criticality probes to develop a unified theory of critical exponents and scaling functions. We thus extract the correlation-length critical exponent $\nu$ and the dynamical exponent $z$ through the finite-size scaling given the system sizes increase in the Fibonacci sequence. The retrieved values of $\nu \simeq 1.000$ and $z \simeq 3.610$ indicate that the transition from the extended phase to the critical phase belongs to a different universality class from the localization transition. Our approach sets the stage for exploring the unconventional quantum criticality and the associated universal information of quasiperiodic systems in state-of-the-art quantum simulation experiments., Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures, accepted by Physical Review B

Background The procedure of percutaneous Achilles tenotomy (PAT) is an important component of the Ponseti method. However, few studies reported the influence of Achilles tendon on kinematic coupling relationship between tarsal bones. The purpose of present study was to demonstrate the effect of Achilles tendon on the kinematic coupling relationship between tarsal bones, and to illustrate how kinematic coupling relationship between tarsal bones works in term of finite element analysis. Methods A three-dimensional finite element model of foot and ankle was constructed based on the Chinese digital human girl No.1 (CDH-G1) image database using the software of mimics, Geomagic studio, HyperMesh, and Abaqus. The last manipulation of the Ponseti method before the procedure of PAT was simulated. The talus head and the proximal tibia and fibula bone were fixed in all six degrees of freedom, and the outward pressure was added on the first metatarsal head to investigate the kinematic coupling relationship between tarsal bones. Results The least relationship of kinematic coupling between tarsal bones was found in calcaneus. Stress concentration was mainly observed at the navicular, talus and the medial malleolus. The difference in displacement of the navicular was only found with the Achilles tendon stiffness of 0 N/mm and others. No difference in the navicular displacement was found in the stiffness of Achilles tendon between 40, 80, 200, 400, and 1000 N/mm. The maximum displacement of navicular was observed at the ankle position of PF-20° (plantar flexion-20°). The difference in displacement of the navicular was greater at the ankle position of PF-20° with the Achilles tendon stiffness of 0 N/mm than that at the ankle position of PF-40° with the Achilles tendon stiffness of 40 N/mm. Conclusions Based on the findings from this study, it was demonstrated that the Achilles tendon existence or not and ankle position had great influence, while increased stiffness of Achilles tendon had no influence on kinematic coupling relationship between tarsal bones. For the cases with severe equinus, earlier implementation of PAT procedure (with the purpose of release the Achilles tendon and reduce the degree of ankle plantar flexion) may be beneficial to the deformity correction.

Viable cell count was used to determine whether Metschnikowia sp. C14 can colonize the intestine of juvenile sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus . Sea cucumber individuals were divided into two groups, which were fed the control diet for 38 days or the C14-supplemented diet at 10 5 cells g −1 diet for 28 days, then the control diet from day 29 to day 38. The number of C14 cells in the intestine of sea cucumber fed the C14-supplemented diet significantly increased from day 7 to day 28, and decreased from day 29 to day 38. Sea cucumber fed with the diet containing C14 showed a significant increase in trypsin activity and lipase activity from day 21 to day 33 compared with the control. Feeding C14 significantly improved the phagocytic activity and respiratory burst in coelomocytes from day 21 to day 35 and from day 14 to day 38, respectively. In addition, there was an obvious enhancement in lysozyme activity (from day 21 to day 38 or day 33), phenoloxidase activity (from day 21 to day 28) and total nitric oxide synthase activity (from day 14 to day 38) in coelomic fluid supernatant and/or coelomocyte cell lysate supernatant compared with the control. There were significant positive correlations between the number of C14 cells colonizing the intestine and trypsin activity of the intestine, lysozyme activity of the coelomic fluid supernatant and coelomocyte lysate supernatant from sea cucumber. These data suggested that the number of C14 cells should be maintained at 10 5 cfu (colony-forming units) g −1 intestine material for the maximum benefit.

The quark mass function is computed both by solving the quark propagator Dyson-Schwinger equation and from lattice simulations implementing overlap and Domain-Wall fermion actions for valence and sea quarks, respectively. The results are confronted and seen to produce a very congruent picture, showing a remarkable agreement for the explored range of current-quark masses. The effective running-interaction is based on a process-independent charge rooted on a particular truncation of the Dyson-Schwinger equations in the gauge sector, establishing thus a link from there to the quark sector and inspiring a correlation between the emergence of gluon and hadron masses., Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures

Background Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a heterogeneous group of subpopulations with differentially expressed surface markers. CD146 + MSCs correlate with high therapeutic and secretory potency. However, their therapeutic efficacy and mechanisms in premature ovarian failure (POF) have not been explored. Methods The umbilical cord (UC)-derived CD146 +/− MSCs were sorted using magnetic beads. The proliferation of MSCs was assayed by dye670 staining and flow cytometry. A mouse POF model was established by injection of cyclophosphamide and busulfan, followed by treatment with CD146 +/− MSCs. The therapeutic effect of CD146 +/− MSCs was evaluated based on body weight, hormone levels, follicle count and reproductive ability. Differential gene expression was identified by mRNA sequencing and validated by RT-PCR. The lymphocyte percentage was detected by flow cytometry. Results CD146 +/− MSCs had similar morphology and surface marker expression. However, CD146 + MSCs exhibited a significantly stronger proliferation ability. Gene profiles revealed that CD146 + MSCs had a lower levels of immunoregulatory factor expression. CD146 + MSCs exhibited a stronger ability to inhibit T cell proliferation. CD146 +/− MSCs treatment markedly restored FSH and E2 hormone secretion level, reduced follicular atresia, and increased sinus follicle numbers in a mouse POF model. The recovery function of CD146 + MSCs in a reproductive assay was slightly improved than that of CD146 - MSCs. Ovary mRNA sequencing data indicated that UC-MSCs therapy improved ovarian endocrine locally, which was through PPAR and cholesterol metabolism pathways. The percentages of CD3, CD4, and CD8 lymphocytes were significantly reduced in the POF group compared to the control group. CD146 + MSCs treatment significantly reversed the changes in lymphocyte percentages. Meanwhile, CD146 - MSCs could not improve the decrease in CD4/8 ratio induced by chemotherapy. Conclusion UC-MSCs therapy improved premature ovarian failure significantly. CD146 +/− MSCs both had similar therapeutic effects in repairing reproductive ability. CD146 + MSCs had advantages in modulating immunology and cell proliferation characteristics.

The anticoagulant application is an effective treatment modality for cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease, unstable angina pectoris, and myocardial infarction. In this study, the antithrombotic effect of recombinant neorudin (EPR-hirudin, EH) was evaluated using a canine model of coronary artery thrombosis. A canine model with platelet thrombosis in the left circumferent branch of the coronary artery was designed using Folt's method, and the anti-thrombus activity of EH was investigated. Femoral administration of EH intravenously had a significant dose-dependent inhibitory effect on canine coronary artery thrombosis and the effective rates were 66.7% (p .05), 83.3% (p .05), and 100% (p .01) after injection of 0.3, 1.0, and 3.0 mg/kg EH, respectively. Furthermore, EH demonstrated lower bleeding, with shorter bleeding time and less bleeding loss than low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). Under the similar effect intensity of EH and LMWH (85 IU/kg), the bleeding time of the EH group at 30 min was shorter, and the blood loss at 30-120 min was less than that of LMWH (p .05 and p .05-.001, respectively). EH had a significant dose-dependent inhibitory effect in the dose range of 0.3-3.0 mg/kg on the coronary artery thrombosis and lower bleeding side effects than LMWH with a similar antithrombosis effect.

BackgroundLittle information was obtained from the published papers about the kinematic coupling effect between tarsal bones during Ponseti manipulation. The aim was to explore the kinematic coupling effect of the joints around talus, to investigate the kinematic rhythm and coupling relationship of tarsal joints; to clarify the pulling effect on medial ligament of the ankle during the process of Ponseti manipulation.MethodsThe model of foot and ankle was reconstructed from the Chinese digital human girl No.1 (CDH-G1) image database. Finite element analysis was applied to explore the kinematic coupling effect of the joints around talus. The distal tibia and fibula bone and the head of talus were fixed in all six degrees of freedom; outward pressure was added to the first metatarsal head to simulate the Ponseti manipulation. Kinematic coupling of each tarsal joint was investigated using the method of whole model splitting, and medial ligament pulling of the ankle was studied by designing the model of medial ligament deletion during the Ponseti manipulation.ResultsAll the tarsal joints produced significant displacement in kinematic coupling effect, and the talus itself produced great displacement in the joint of ankle. Quantitative analysis revealed that the maximum displacement was found in the joints of talonavicular (12.01mm), cuneonavicular (10.50mm), calcaneocuboid (7.97mm), and subtalar(6.99mm).The kinematic coupling rhythm between talus and navicular, talus and calcaneus, calcaneus and cuboid, navicular and cuneiform 1 were 1:12, 1:7, 1:2 and 1:1.6. The results of ligaments pulling showed that the maximum displacement was presented in the ligaments of tibionavicular (mean 27.99mm), talonavicular (21.03mm), and calcaneonavicular (19.18 mm).ConclusionsAll the tarsal joints around talus were involved in the process of Ponseti manipulation, and the strongest kinematic coupling effect was found in the joints of talonavicular, subtalar, calcaneocuboid, and cuneonavicular. The ligaments of tibionavicular, talonavicular, and calcaneonavicular were stretched greatly. It was suggested that the method of Ponseti management was a complex deformity correction processes involved all the tarsal joints. The present study contributed to better understanding the principle of Ponseti manipulation and the pathoanatomy of clubfoot. Also, the importance of cuneonavicular joint should be stressed in clinical practice.

We choose the Reduction Formula, PCAC and Low Energy Theory to reduce the $S$ matrix of a OZI allowed two-body strong decay involving a light pseudoscalar, the covariant transition amplitude formula with relativistic wave functions as input is derived. After confirm this method by the decay $D^*(2010)\to D\pi$, we study the newly observed $D_{s0}(2590)^{+}$ with supposing it to be the state $D_s(2^1S_0)^+$, we find its decay width $\Gamma$ is highly sensitive to the $D_{s0}(2590)^{+}$ mass, which result in the meaningless comparison of widths by different models with various input masses. Instead of width, we studied the overlap integral over the wave functions of initial and final states, here we parameterized it as $X$ which is model-independent, and the ratio $\Gamma/{|{\vec P_f}|^3}$, both are almost mass independent, to give us useful information. The results show that, all the existing theoretical predictions $X_{D_s(2S) \to D^*K}=0.25\sim 0.41$ and $\Gamma/{|{\vec P_f}|^3}=0.81\sim1.77$ MeV$^{-2}$ are smaller than experimental data $0.585^{+0.015}_{-0.035}$ and $4.54^{+0.25}_{-0.52}$ MeV$^{-2}$. Further compared with $X^{ex}_{D^*(2010) \to D\pi}=0.540\pm0.009$, the current data $X^{ex}_{D_s(2S) \to D^*K}=0.585^{+0.015}_{-0.035}$ is too big to be an reasonable value, so it is early to say $D_{s0}(2590)^{+}$ is the conventional $D_s(2^1S_0)^+$ meson., Comment: 22 pages, 4 figures, 4 tables

A 49‐day rearing trial was conducted to investigate the effects of Bacillus aquimaris T16 on growth, survival, and digestive and immune‐related enzyme activities in larval and juvenile Yesso scallop, Patinopecten yessoensis. Veliger larvae (Day 2 postfertilization [d2 PF]) were split into three treatments: control (provided with a diet only of microalgae), low T16 supplementation (1 × 10⁴ cells/mL at final concentration), and high T16 supplementation (1 × 10⁶ cells/mL at final concentration). Results showed that specific growth rates; survivals; and pepsin, amylase, and/or cellulase activities of umbo larvae (d13 PF), crawling–pediveliger larvae (d28 PF), and juveniles (d51 PF) in the low and/or high T16 supplementation treatments were significantly higher than those in the control group. Larvae and juveniles fed diets containing low and/or high T16 supplementations had significantly increased lysozyme, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities compared with those fed the diet of microalgae. In addition, T16 protected juveniles against challenge by Vibrio splendidus. These data suggest that the addition of T16 can improve growth, enhance digestive enzyme activity, and stimulate the innate immune system of scallop larvae and juveniles and enhance the resistance of juveniles against V. splendidus.

A 49‐day rearing trial was conducted to investigate the effects of Pseudoalteromonas sp. F15 on growth, survival, digestive and immune‐related enzyme activities in larval and juvenile Yesso scallop, Patinopecten yessoensis. Larvae (Day 2 post‐fertilization) (d2 PF)) were provided with a diet only of microalgae (control) and supplemented with F15 at final concentrations of 1×10⁴ and 1×10⁶ cells/mL, respectively. Results indicated that the specific growth rates and survival rates of umbo larvae (d13 PF), crawling pediveliger larvae (d28 PF) and juveniles (d51 PF) fed the F15 supplementation diets at 10⁴ and/or 10⁶ cells/mL were significantly higher than those fed the diet of microalgae. Larvae and juveniles fed 10⁴ and/or 10⁶ cells/mL F15 supplementation diets showed a significant increase in pepsin, amylase and cellulase activities compared with the control group. The lysozyme, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities of larvae and juveniles fed the F15 supplementation diets at 10⁴ and/or 10⁶ cells/mL significantly increased compared to those fed the diet of microalgae. In addition, F15 protected juveniles against challenge with Vibrio splendidus. These data suggest that F15 can be useful in scallop larviculture.

To solve the μ problem and generate three tiny neutrino masses in the MSSM, the μ from ν Supersymmetric Standard Model (μνSSM) introduces three singlet right- handed neutrino superfields, which lead to the mixing of the Higgs doublets with the sneutrinos. The mixing affects the lightest Higgs boson mass and the Higgs couplings. The present observed 95% CL upper limit on signal strength of the 125 GeV Higgs boson decay h → Zγ is 6.6, which still is plenty of space to prove the existence of new physics. In this work, we investigate the signal strength of the 125 GeV Higgs boson decay channel h → Zγ in the μνSSM. Besides, we consider the two-loop electroweak corrections of muon anomalous magnetic dipole moment (MDM) in the model, which also make important contributions compared with one-loop electroweak corrections.

In this exploratory study, two photon decay widths of pseudo-scalar ($\eta_c$) and scalar ($\chi_{c0}$) charmonium are computed using two ensembles of $N_f=2$ twisted mass lattice QCD gauge configurations. The simulation is performed two lattice ensembles with lattice spacings $a=0.067$ fm with size $32^3\times{64}$ and $a=0.085$ fm with size $24^3\times{48}$, respectively. The results for the decay widths for the two charmonia are obtained which are in the right ballpark however smaller than the experimental ones. Possible reasons for these discrepancies are discussed., Comment: version accepted by Chinese Physics C

The prevention and treatment of relapsed clubfoot remained challenging tasks. There were controversies as to treatment options and management, such as complete subtalar release, application of an Ilizarov external frame, or repeated Ponseti method; and different options were available in different treatment centers. This study was designed to evaluate the clinical outcome of relapsed clubfeet treated by repeated Ponseti method in comparison with the cases without relapse in term of gait analysis and to clarify the clinical efficacy of repeated Ponseti method in treating the relapsed clubfeet.Thirty-seven patients (53 feet) were retrospectively identified from our database according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Among the 37 patients, 17 cases (25 relapsed clubfeet) were assigned to group I, whereas 20 cases (28 clubfeet without relapse) were assigned to group II. Clinical examination, gait analysis, and kinematic gait deviation criteria from Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children were used for evaluation.There was statistically significant difference in the parameters of foot length, stride length, and single limb support time (%gait cycle) between the 2 groups (P0.05). No statistically significant difference was found in the kinematic parameters of total hip, knee, and ankle excursion, peak knee and ankle flexion and extension, and internal foot progression (P0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in peak hip, knee, and ankle flexion moment, peak knee valgus moment, and peak ankle power (P0.05). No statistically significant difference was found in equinus and calcaneus gait, increased ankle dorsiflexion, foot drop, and internal foot progression angle (P0.05).Repeated Ponseti method for relapsed clubfeet can yield good or excellent clinical results. We recommend repeated Ponseti method as the treatment choice for relapsed clubfeet in the early stage.Level III-retrospective comparative study.

Variety pedigree contains a lot of information, including parental origin, breeding methods, genetic relationship, and so on. Studying them could reveal the evolution characteristics and rules of breeding and ultimately guide practice. The pedigrees of 326 wheat varieties from 1936 to 2017 in the history of the Sichuan Province was collected and analyzed in terms of breeding methods, parental composition, changes of high frequency parents and backbone parents, genetic contribution, distribution of translocation lines and synthetic germplasms. Over the past 80 years since 1930s, breeders have selected 387 direct parents from a large number of materials, made 256 combinations by means of cross breeding, and have released 314 varieties from them, which contributed directly to wheat breeding and production in Sichuan. Wheat breeding experienced a process from utilizing landraces, introducing foreign germplasm to creating breeding materials independently; high-frequency parents and backbone parents used for breeding gradually changed in different stage of the breeding history. Synthetic germplasms contributed greatly to wheat breeding in recent years. The consistency of breeding objectives will inevitably lead to the loss of genetic diversity and the fragility of genetic basis. In the future, the protection and utilization of genetic resources should be strengthened. In this review, the development of wheat breeding in Sichuan was summarized through pedigree analysis, in order to provide a reference for future research.

In this exploratory study, near-threshold scattering of $D$ and $\bar{D}^*$ meson is investigated using lattice QCD with $N_f=2+1+1$ twisted mass fermion configurations. The calculation is performed within the coupled-channel L\"uscher's finite-size formalism. The study focuses on the channel with $I^G(J^{PC})=1^+(1^{+-})$ where the resonance-like structure $Z_c(3900)$ was discovered. We first identify the most relevant two channels of the problem and the lattice study is performed within the two-channel scattering model. Combined with a two-channel Ross-Shaw theory, scattering parameters are extracted from the energy levels by solving the generalized eigenvalue problem. Our results on the scattering length parameters suggest that, at the particular lattice parameters that we studied, the best fitted parameters do not correspond to a peak behavior in the elastic scattering cross section near the threshold. Furthermore, within the zero-range Ross-Shaw theory, the scenario of a narrow resonance close to the threshold is disfavored beyond $3\sigma$ level., Comment: 15 pages, 6 figures, minor changes. Version accepted by Chinese Physics C

Background and purpose — There are still controversies as to the age for beginning treatment with the Ponseti method. We evaluated the clinical outcome with different age at onset of Ponseti management for clubfoot. Patients and methods — 90 included children were divided into 3 groups in terms of age at start of treatment. The difference in treatment-related and prognosis-related variables including presentation age, initial Pirani and Dimeglio score, casts required, relapse rates, final Dimeglio score, and international clubfoot study group score (ICFSG) was analyzed. Results — Age between 28 days and 3 months at start of treatment method was associated with fewer casts required, lower relapse rate, and lower final ICFSG score (p < 0.05). Early treatment before 28 days of age required more casts and had a higher relapse rate (p < 0.05). The highest ICFSG scores were found in the ages between 3 and 6 months (p < 0.05). After propensity score matching, age between 28 days and 3 months was demonstrated to have a lower finial ICFSG score. Linear regression models showed that presentation age was positively correlated with final ICFSG score, and was identified as the only independent prognostic risk factor. Interpretation — There was lower rate of relapse and better clinical outcome when treatment was initiated at age between 28 days and 3 months. With the Ponseti method, clubfeet may not need urgent treatment.

Well-defined nanostructures of the cobalt oxide are designed intensively to pursue large surface area and high conductivity as the electroactive material for supercapacitors (SCs). Instead of merely fabricating effective electroactive materials, two kinds of the cobalt oxide nanostructures synthesized directly on nickel foam to achieve good contact between the material and the substrate are compared to clarify the growth mechanism and the structure-dependent SC performance. The nanobrushes are completely composed of nanoparticles while the rhombus nanopillars present integrated structure by the recrystallization of single nanopillars. A higher specific capacitance (C F ) of 509 F/g is obtained for the SC electrode with CoO rhombus nanopillar array at a scan rate of 10 mV/s, comparing to that of 169 F/g for the CoO nanobrush array-based SC electrode, due to the larger electroactive surface area and less recombination sites for the former case. The C F value is enhanced by 38% as compared with the initial value after 3000 cycles of repeated charge/discharge process for the CoO rhombus nanopillar array-based SC electrode due to the activation of the material. The results provide a blue print for achieving highly efficient SC electrode by carefully designing the well-established electroactive material to attain facile and long-lasting faradic reactions.

Background and purpose — Results from case-control studies of maternal age at conception and risk of idiopathic clubfoot have been inconsistent. We conducted a meta-analysis to determine whether there is any association between maternal age at conception and the morbidity of idiopathic clubfoot. Methods — We searched PubMed-MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library up to June 2015 and supplemented the search with manual searches of the reference lists of the articles identified. 11 studies published between 1990 and 2015 were pooled. We investigated heterogeneity in maternal age and whether publication bias might have affected the results. Results — Compared to a control group, maternal age at conception of between 20 and 24 years old was associated with an increased risk of occurrence of clubfoot (OR = 1.2, 95% CI: 1.1–1.4). No such association was found for the age groups of ≥ 35, 30–34, 25–29, and < 20 years. There was no heterogeneity in the age groups of ≥ 35, 30–34, and 20–24 years, moderate heterogeneity in the 25- to 29-year age group, and a large degree of heterogeneity in the group that was < 20 years of age. The prediction intervals for the age groups of 25–29 and < 20 years were 0.56 to 1.3 and −0.39 to 2.4, respectively. We found no evidence of significant publication bias. Interpretation — From the results of this meta-analysis of 11 studies, maternal age at conception between 20 to 24 years of age appears to be associated with an increased risk of occurrence of clubfoot.

Cobalt oxide is one of the attractive materials for supercapacitors (SCs) applying a faradaic reaction to store electrons. Researchers are devoted to synthesizing novel structures of cobalt oxides with different dimensions and designing layer-by-layer configurations composed of different morphologies to pursue multiple functions for attaining a better performance of the SC electrode. In this study, a two-step hydrothermal reaction is used to synthesize a cobalt oxide nanostructure composed of one, two, and three dimensional nanostructures on nickel foam. Superior to the traditional layer-by-layer configuration, this method is advantageous because it simultaneously synthesizes nanomaterials with multiple dimensions on the substrate, instead of combining the nanomaterials with different dimensions after each material has been synthesized separately. A one-dimensional (1D) cobalt oxide nanostem underlayer possesses speedy straight pathways for charge transfer, and three-dimensional (3D) nanoflowers composed of two-dimensional (2D) nanopetals distributed uniformly on top of the nanostem array provide a large active surface area for faradaic reactions. A high specific capacitance (CF) value of 916.9 F g−1 is obtained for the corresponding SC electrode using the cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique at a scan rate of 20 mV s−1. The results provide a new concept to in situ combine nanomaterials with multiple dimensions at once, avoiding time-consuming issues and adherence problems at the interface between different structures.

Background.This study was designed to evaluate the function of the foot undergoing the procedure of percutaneous Achilles tenotomy (PAT) in case of clubfoot management in terms of gait analysis.Methods.Nineteen patients with unilateral clubfeet were retrospectively reviewed from our database from July 2012 to June 2016. The result in all the cases was rated as excellent according to the scale of International Clubfoot Study Group (ICSG). The affected sides were taken as Group CF and the contralateral sides as Group CL. Three-dimensional gait analysis was applied for the functional evaluation of the involved foot.Results.Statistical difference was found in physical parameters of passive ankle dorsiflexion and plantar-flexion. No statistical difference was found in temporal-spatial parameters. There was statistical difference in kinematic parameters of total ankle rotation, ankle range of motion, and internal foot progression angle and in kinetic parameters of peak ankle power. No statistical difference was found in other kinematic and kinetic parameters.Conclusions.It is demonstrated that the procedure of PAT is safe and efficient for correcting the equinus deformity in case of clubfoot management and preserving the main function of Achilles tendon at the minimum of four-year follow-up.

A 49-day rearing trial was conducted to investigate the effects of Pseudoalteromonas espejiana W115 on digestive and immune–related enzyme activities in larval and juvenile Yesso scallop Patinopecten yessoensis. Larvae (day 2 post-fertilization) (day 2 PF) were distributed into three groups and provided with a diet only of microalgae (control group) and supplemented with W115 at final concentrations of 1 × 104 and 1 × 106 cells/mL, respectively. Results showed that umbo larvae (day 13 PF) and/or crawling-pediveliger larvae (day 28 PF) and/or juveniles (day 51 PF) fed with W115 supplementation diet at 104 cells/mL showed a significant increase in pepsin, amylase and cellulase activities compared to those fed the diet of microalgae, however, no significant difference was observed between the 106 cells/mL supplementation and control groups at days 13, 28 and 51 PF. The lysozyme and superoxide dismutase activities of umbo larvae and/or crawling-pediveliger larvae and juveniles treated with 104 and/or 106 cells/mL W115 supplementations were significantly higher than those in the control group, while there were no significant differences in enzyme activities in larvae and juveniles treated with two doses of W115 at days 13, 28 and 51 PF. No significant difference in catalase activity was observed among the three groups at days 13, 28 and 51 PF. In addition, there was increased survival in W115-amended treatments after juveniles were challenged with Vibrio splendidus. The results suggest that a 104 cells/mL supplementation of W115 can be useful in Yesso scallop larviculture.

A nitrogen management experiment with three nitrogen levels (0, 120, and 180 kg·hm连续2年在西南冬麦区的重庆、仁寿、广汉、西昌4个地点,开展3种施氮水平(每公顷纯氮0、120、180 kg,简写为N

Vector meson mass values are studied at finite chemical potential and temperature in lattice QCD with lattice size of 24 × 122 × 6 using two flavors of staggered quarks. The investigation focuses on the change of the vector meson mass in the critical region close to Tc with two different types of chemical potentials switched on: the isoscalar chemical potential μs and its isovector counterpart μv. It is found that the vector meson mass increases in the QGP phase with both chemical potentials and decreases with μs in the confinement phase.

In this study, we explored the cytotoxic effects of arctigenin, a natural lignan compound, on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and check the involvement of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K)/Akt signaling. HCC cells were treated with different concentrations of arctigenin and cell viability and apoptosis were assessed. Manipulating Akt signaling was used to determine its role in the action of arctigenin. Arctigenin significantly inhibited the viability of HCC cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Arctigenin induced apoptosis and activation of caspase-9 and -3. Overexpression of a constitutively active Akt mutant blocked arctigenin-induced apoptosis. Combinational treatment with arctigenin and the PI3-K inhibitor LY294002 significantly enhanced apoptosis. Arctigenin reduced the expression of Bcl-xL, Mcl-1, and survivin and the phosphorylation of mTOR and S6K, which were significantly reversed by overexpression of constitutively active Akt. This is the first report about the anticancer activity of arctigenin in HCC cells, which is mediated by inactivation of PI3-K/Akt signaling.

The topological charge density and topological susceptibility are determined by multi-probing approximation using overlap fermions in quenched SU(3) gauge theory. Then we investigate the topological structure of the quenched QCD vacuum, and compare it with results from the all-scale topological density, the results are consistent. Random permuted topological charge density is used to check whether these structures represent underlying ordered properties. Pseudoscalar glueball mass is extracted from the two-point correlation function of the topological charge density. We study $3$ ensembles of different lattice spacing $a$ with the same lattice volume $16^{3}\times32$, the results are compatible with the results of all-scale topological charge density, and the topological structures revealed by multi-probing are much closer to all-scale topological charge density than that by eigenmode expansion., 12 pages,34 figures

The γ-prolamins are important components of seed storage proteins in wheat and other Triticeae species. Here, the γ-prolamin genes from the diploid Triticeae species were systemically characterized. Most of the γ-prolamins (except 75 K γ-secalins) characterized were defined as γ-gliadin-like γ-prolamins, since they shared a same characteristic model structure with γ-gliadins. Over one third of these putatively functional γ-prolamin peptides contained different number of cysteine residues as compared to the eight residues present in γ-gliadins. Sequence polymorphism and linkage disequilibrium analyses showed the conservation of γ-prolamin genes in Triticeae species under evolutionary selection. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that these γ-prolamin genes can not be clearly separated according to their genomic origins, reflecting the conservation of γ-gliadin-like γ-prolamin genes after the divergence of Triticeae species. A screening of coeliac disease (CD) toxic epitopes shows that the γ-prolamins from some other genomes contain much fewer epitopes than those from the A, S (B) and D genomes of wheat. These findings contribute to better understanding of γ-prolamin family in Triticeae and build a ground for breeding less CD-toxic wheat cultivars.

With wetlands categorized as one of the three major ecosystems, the study of wetland health has global environmental implications. Multiple regression models were employed to establish relationships between Landsat-8 images, vegetation indices and field measured biomass in the Yellow River Delta Nature Reserve. These models were then used to estimate the spatial distribution of wetland vegetative biomass. The relationships between wetland vegetative biomass and soil factors (organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, water soluble salt, pH and moisture) were modeled. We were able to achieve higher correlations and improved model fits using vegetative indices and spectral bands 1-5 as independent variables. Several important soil factors were isolated, including soil moisture and salt concentrations, which affect wetland biomass spatial distributions. Overall, wetland biomass decreased from land to the ocean and from the river courses outward.

Photothermal therapy relies on the principle of converting light energy into heat causing localized lesion destruction. For safe and effective treatment, it is necessary to monitor temperature diffusion in the boundaries of the irradiated region, to minimize damage to surrounding normal tissues. This paper gives a pilot study of the feasibility of photoacoustic imaging for monitoring temperature changes during photothermal therapy. The results showed that our system of photoacoustic imaging (PAI) can play the role of biosensor, for the photoacoustics signal amplitude depend on temperature of tissue-mimicking phantoms. Whats more, photoacoustic signal can determinate the boundary of photoabsorder-enhance tissue during therapeutic procedure.

This paper is an attempt to study the fire performance of concrete filled steel tube reinforced concrete (CFSTRC) columns exposed to fire condition. Tests were carried out on CFSTRC columns subjected to ISO-834 standard fire. Details of temperature distribution, fire resistance, deformations and failure mechanism are presented in the paper. Based on the observation and analysis of test results, the characteristics of CFSTRC columns subjected to a fire were investigated. It was found that the concrete outside CFST can act as a natural insulation to the steel tube and the inner concrete; there was no local buckling in steel tube due to the presence of concrete both outside and inside steel tube; the concrete inside steel tube kept intact in the test. These characteristics make CFSTRC columns obtain a favorable fire performance. A three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA) model was developed to calculate the temperature field of CFSTRC columns. Based on theoretic analysis, the influences of important parameters on the temperature field of the composite columns were investigated. The studies in the paper will be a foundation for further theoretical analysis on the mechanic performance of CFSTRC columns exposed to fire.

This study was conducted to investigate the biological role of periostin in gastric cancer (GC) under hypoxia. Western blot analysis revealed that along with an upregulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha, there was a time-dependent induction of periostin in MKN-45 cells under hypoxia (2% O2), increasing by eightfold as compared to normoxic cells. Pretreatment with 30 µM PD98059, an inhibitor of ERK1/2, significantly reduced hypoxia-stimulated periostin expression (P < 0.01). Periostin knockdown in MKN-45 cells was achieved by specific small interfering RNA (siRNA). The conditioned medium from periostin siRNA-transfected MKN-45 cells induced significantly less (P < 0.01) endothelial tube formation than control siRNA-transfected cells. Additionally, periostin silencing markedly decreased the mRNA expression and secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in hypoxic MKN-45 cells. Thus, our data suggest that periostin is a hypoxia-response gene and mediates a cross talk between GC and endothelial cells under hypoxia, partially through regulation of the VEGF expression. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J BiochemMol Toxicol 27:364-369, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/jbt.21498

This study presents an improved genetic algorithm. The algorithm introduced acceleration operator in the traditional genetic algorithm, effectively reducing the computational complexity. The search speed of the algorithm has been greatly improved, so that it can quickly find the global optimal solution. The accelerating collaborative operator lessons from the thoughts of binary search algorithm combining with the variable step length strategy. The accelerating operator has strong local search ability and crossover and mutation operators have strong global search ability, then combining these operators generates a new Genetic algorithm. The tests on the different functions show that the improved algorithm has the advantages of faster convergence and higher stability in the case of a small population than traditional genetic algorithm and can effectively avoid the premature phenomenon.

The number of J/psi events collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPC II from June 12 to July 28, 2009 is determined to be (225.3 +/- 2.8) x 10(6) using J/psi -> inclusive events, where the uncertainty is the systematic error and the statistical one is negligible.

Walking is an effective way of locomotion for the robot system; especially for the Hexapod robots, walking offers a better robustness for its redundancy of limbs. In order to enhance the adaptability of walking on unstructured terrain, a hexapod robot leg structure with the sensing ability has been developed. This structure is equipped with the 3-D force sensor at the tibia and the torque sensors at the first and second joint. The compliance control has been adopted to control the force of the foot end, and by combining with the real-time parameter estimation algorithm, the shape and stiffness can be updated to make the robot adapt to the mutative terrain better. Thus, the self-adaptively active compliance control for the hexapod robot leg has been realized, and the effectiveness of the controller has been verified through virtual simulation.